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Monday, 5 August 2013

Knowle grounds: Open Space and Pleasure Grounds

These photographs were taken over a year ago in July:

A note from District Council officers on 16th July 2012 stated:The Knowle is also listed in the Pleasure Grounds and Open Spaces Bylaw (30 October 1996) which sets out the Council’s authority to close the grounds and to only allow public access at stated times, if required.A Freedom of Information request was responded to on 31st July 2012 by the District Council:

The land
is owned by the Council which resolved, in 1973 to hold it as a Pleasure Ground
for the purposes of the Public Health Act 1875 -s164.

"Any local authority may purchase or take on lease, lay-out, plant,
improve and maintain lands for the purpose of being used as public walks and
pleasure grounds, and may support or contribute to the support of public walks
or pleasure grounds provided by any person."

The minutes from the Council meeting from 1973 note that a principal reason for
the acquisition of Knowle was to preserve the gardens and field as an amenity
for the district which is why it was felt appropriate to recognise that
position, and why current proposals retain a large proportion of open space.
The Council is satisfied that the planning permission could be granted for
building on what is currently open space, although there will be planning
policy issues involved.

The notices displayed at the car park entrances were intended to be temporary
notices as a "rapid response" to a problem which occurred some time
ago involving gatherings of youths in the car parks. Once we are satisfied that
this problem has ceased, these temporary notices are likely to be removed.

For other observers, the epithet 'boy racers' has come to mind - to describe the proposals to grant planning permission "on what is currently open space."Others have noted the stern comment from the Chief Executive of the District Council:"It is an offence to interfere with any flower bed, shrub or tree."And the Officer's observation that "a principal reason for the acquisition of Knowle was to preserve the gardens and field as an amenity." See also: Knowle “Green Open Space” and bye-laws…. mixed messages from EDDC? | Sidmouth Independent News...